“So just hold your breath and sway.”
Considering the ridiculously competitive Australian metalcore scene and the inexplicably talented bands that hail from the same area, Void of Vision have a sort of standard that they need to exceed in order to remain afloat. Fortunately, with the third installment of the CHRONICLES EP’s, titled UNDERWORLD, the bar does not even exist. The boys have decided to step away from the blatantly heavy tones of their last two EP’s and lean more into something I personally have been hoping they would experiment with; a more electronic sound. Taking influence from their fantastic 2019 LP, Hyperdaze, mixing that with the best of Nine Inch Nails’ sound, and cranking the production up to a solid ten, produces this progressive and well rounded project.
Unlike the last three EP’s, UNDERWORLD creates an experience through three very unique, yet equally grandiose tracks. Lone single and more classic Void of Vision style cut “HELL HELL HELL” kicks open this EP with one of their most energetic efforts to date. The simple choice to write this track starting on the pre chorus, blasting straight into a fully developed hook, creates such a chaotic atmosphere that’s described best by the title of the song itself. As a choice for the single, I think that this was perfect. It’s quite literally one of their most melodically addictive tracks, and to pair that with such a killer breakdown is criminal of the boys.
Yet, somehow, “HELL HELL HELL” isn’t even close to the best track on this project. That goes to, what I believe, is their most ambitious song yet; “ASMR”. I fully love this song. In fact, I think it’s my favorite of the band’s entire discography, save the undeniable banger, “Decay”. I think it’s both alluring and grotesque in the best way possible, and I think that exact combination is quite strenuous to pull off so effortlessly. The infectious yet straightforward beat that backs the majority of this cut is impossible to not fall in love with, especially underneath the heavily filtered, essentially robotic vocals, before the final hook. Towards the latter half of this track, the beat picks up into a tempo that would work well in a club setting.
This transitions rather poorly into the final track. Personally, I am a stickler for flawless transitions, but I’m nitpicking at this point. “NEUE SICHT” carries on with the same club-esque beat as they embrace a fully electronic and industrial sound. Although my least favorite of the three, this cut serves its purpose in fully integrating Void of Vision into this experimental area away from traditional metalcore. I can see a similar reaction coming from Void of Vision fans in the way that Thornhill fans felt with the release of their latest album, Heroine. Change can be a hard pill to swallow for some, but I think with such an intriguing array of releases on this EP and the collection of CHRONICLES as a whole, there is something to satisfy everyone at the very least.
This EP is just shy of perfect for me. With the help of cleaner transitions and possibly the swapping of tracks “ASMR” and “NEUE SICHT”, the EP could have felt closer to completion. This is really only because “NEUE SICHT” feels akin to a sort of interlude, but the other two songs are the obvious highlights of this project without a doubt, let alone career highlights for the band. I am unsure of what the general consensus will be when it comes to Void of Vision chipping further into their own niche and attempting to garner an audience that appreciates this form of digital metalcore, but I’m more than elated to see how far they can expand their discography into this territory.
9.5/10
Chronicles III: Underworld is out this Friday via UNFD.